The sea of clouds churned, and rays of light shone in myriad directions.
Two radiant figures, as bright as the sun, emerged from the celestial mist deep within the Eastern Sea. They were none other than Demon Emperor Di Jun, and Eastern Emperor Taiyi, who had left Yingzhou Immortal Island.
They arrived with trepidation, and returned with a touch of solemnity, yet their brows held a weighty confidence.
Di Jun was dressed in a dark gold imperial robe, embroidered with a diagram of the movement of the All the Stars in the Heavens, but at this moment it seemed as if he was shrouded in an invisible shadow.
He held something tightly in his hand. It was neither gold nor jade, neither silk nor cloth, but a plain-colored bamboo umbrella that looked simple and unadorned.
The umbrella surface shimmered with seven-colored light, like the Primordial Chaos, sometimes transforming into the phantom of a dragon and elephant galloping, and sometimes condensing into the wondrous spectacle of stars being born and dying. A grand, stable, and all-protecting Daoist aura, born innately, naturally emanated, smoothing out the surging Chaos Qi around it.
This is precisely the Innate Supreme Treasure the Sage the Qing Huan temporarily borrowed— the Seven Symbols Treasure Umbrella.
When the umbrella is opened, it can manifest the seven primordial forces of Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, time, space, yin, and yang, transforming them into an indestructible domain with unparalleled defense.
When the umbrella is closed, its ribs resemble pillars supporting the sky, and the tip of the umbrella, with its sharp edge, can pierce through all the heavens and the myriad realms, its sharpness unmatched.
With this treasure by his side, the gloom in Di Jun's heart caused by the fact that the Sage could not interfere was finally dispelled.
"Eldest Brother,"
Tai Yi, standing beside him, spoke up. He was wearing crimson-gold armor and carrying the illusory image of the Chaos Bell on his back. The bell was surrounded by the Sun, Moon, and Stars, Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, exuding an ancient aura that suppressed the primordial chaos.
His brows furrowed slightly, his eyes filled with a hint of unwilling inquiry.
"Should we still go to the Saint Nuwa? After all, she is Sage of our demon race, perhaps..."
Di Jun slowly shook his head, his gaze deep, as if piercing through the endless sea of clouds, looking towards the direction of the Wa Huang Palace located in the depths of chaos Beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.
"No need."
His voice was steady, carrying an unquestionable resolve. "The words of the Heavenly Venerate Qing Huan are already the maxims of the Heavenly Dao."
Sage transcend worldly affairs, strategizing and planning, and cannot directly interfere in such Tribulation struggle.
Even if we personally go to the Wa Huang Palace, the goddess will find it difficult to lend a hand, only causing her more trouble.
"To receive guidance from the Sage of Qing Huan and to borrow this Seven Symbols Treasure Umbrella is already an unexpected joy; we should not harbor any more extravagant hopes."
He paused, looking at the Precious Umbrella in his hand. The seven-colored light reflected off his angular face, revealing a hint of imperial fortitude and deep wisdom.
"The most urgent task is to return to the Heavenly Court immediately! The Witch Clan is powerful and not to be trifled with."
We must race against time, consolidate our forces, and improve our combat readiness.
Tai Yi, issue this order: all Demon Master Kunpeng, Ji Meng, Ying Zhao... and all Demon Saint, Demon Gods, and Demon King, assemble immediately at the Lingxiao Treasure Hall! No delays are permitted!
"As you command, Eldest Brother!"
Tai Yi bowed and accepted the order, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit. The Chaos Bell emitted a deep and resonant hum, as if it could not wait to drink the blood of the Witch Clan.
When the topic of preparations came up, Di Jun's expression darkened further, a hint of undisguised regret flashing in his eyes. "Moreover, manpower... is especially crucial."
Although our demon race was not defeated in the last battle at the foot of Buzhou Mountain, we were severely weakened.
Fei Lian, Shang Yang, Qin Yuan, Gui Che?, the four Demon Saints... have fallen!
Di Jun's voice deepened, each name sounding as heavy as a thousand pounds.
The speed of Feilian Fei Lian, the exquisite skill of Shang Yang controlling water, the unpredictable nature of Qin Yuan's poisonous evil, and the ferocious power of Gui Che's nine heads—the pillars of the Heavenly Court of yesteryear have all turned to ashes.
Whenever he thought of this, even with his heart as hard as iron, Di Jun felt a heart-wrenching pain. It was a huge void in the demon race's top combat power, and it was also his deep-seated responsibility as the Demon Emperor.
Taking a deep breath to suppress the surging emotions in my chest, I cast my gaze upon the vast and boundless Primordial Starry Sky.
"The Great Formation of the Stars is the foundation for our demon race to maintain its destiny. It connects with the Primordial Stars, maintains the order of the Primordial Wilderness, and is also the source for our race to draw upon boundless Luck."
This formation... must not be moved lightly! Once used in battle, it will have far-reaching consequences. If the celestial trajectories become disordered and the Primordial Wilderness world is thrown into turmoil, not only will our Luck turn against us, but we may also incur Heavenly Dao punishment, with unimaginable consequences."
Di Jun's tone was extremely solemn. The Great Formation of the Stars was the foundation of the demon race's existence, but also its greatest weakness. It should never be used as a pure weapon of war unless absolutely necessary.
Taking a deep breath to suppress the surging emotions in my chest, I cast my gaze upon the vast and boundless Primordial Starry Sky.
"Therefore, the only thing we can rely on is the Hunyuan River Diagram and Luo Script Great Formation!"
Di Jun opened his left hand, and a miniature Primordial Wilderness phantom appeared in his palm, containing mountains and rivers, the nine Four Seas, the sun, Sun, Moon, and Stars, encompassing everything and exhibiting endless changes.
"This formation is based on the Primordial Wilderness mountains and rivers, with the River Diagram and Luo Script as its core. It gives birth to heaven and earth, unfolds all mysteries, integrates offense and defense, and is unpredictable. It is precisely a powerful weapon against the Dutian Divine Fiend. However..."
He abruptly changed the subject, his tone filled with helplessness.
"This formation requires 365 Daluo Golden Immortal to manage the Zhou Tian Star Banner as its foundation, and also needs ten Quasi-Sage level experts to guard the core array eyes in order to unleash its true power to overturn the Universe and obliterate all things."
"Currently, the Quasi-Sage Array Eyes... are still missing four!"
Ten Quasi-Sage are the minimum requirement for the Hunyuan River Diagram and Luo Script Great Formation to operate flawlessly. If one is missing, the array's operation will become more sluggish, and its power will be weakened by one-tenth.
With four members missing, the formation's power will likely be reduced by 60-70%!
A hint of anxiety flashed in Tai Yi's crimson-gold eyes:
"Four Quasi-Sage! This... There are a few Demon Gods at the peak of the Daluo Golden Immortal realm, but how can they... in such a short time..."
A glint flashed in Di Jun's eyes, revealing the decisiveness and ruthlessness of an emperor:
"In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are necessary! It seems we must utilize the Heavenly Court's resources to open the 'Myriad Demon Blood Pool' and the 'Star Refining Cave,' sparing no expense to expend the accumulated star essence and innate spiritual essence of ten thousand years, forcibly assisting those Demon Gods — Ci Tie, Feidan, Fei Dan, the newly promoted Grand Elder of the Shang Yang Tribe, and Yanling, the Jiu Ying 'Yan Ling —whose cultivation has already reached the peak of the Daluo Golden Immortal Xuan Ming and whose foundations are the deepest, to break through to the Quasi-Sage realm!"
Although the foundation may be unstable and the future path may be obstructed, for the survival of the demon race and for the perfection of the great formation, this risk... must be taken! This responsibility must be borne!
The voice was powerful and resolute, carrying a do-or-die determination. Behind each name was a potential giant among the demon race, yet now they were being forced to use this method of forcing growth. The heaviness and helplessness in Di Jun's heart were truly indescribable to outsiders.
Without another word, the two brothers transformed into two dazzling golden rainbows that tore through the sky, carrying the vast aura of the Demon Emperor, shooting straight up to the Thirty-Three Heavens, to the majestic Heavenly Court of the Demon Race, which floated beneath the boundless Starry Sky, adorned with thousands of auspicious Auspicious Qi and countless rays of light!
Meanwhile, in the Primordial Wilderness Western Land, a completely different atmosphere existed compared to the ethereal beauty of the east.
Although the earth has regained its lush greenery, its spiritual energy is scarce. Only one true Blessed Land rises from the ground, towering into the clouds and connecting heaven and earth. Its mountaintop is hidden in boundless Buddhist light, with chanting and Golden Lotus appearing and disappearing. This mountain is the foundation of the Western Sect — Mount Sumeru.